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The Australian Rheumatology Association is proud to announce Professor David Hunter as the recipient of the 2025 Parr Prize, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to rheumatology research. A global leader in osteoarthritis, Professor Hunter holds the Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Sydney and has authored more than 640 publications, many in top-tier journals, with over 36,000 citations. His pioneering translational research has reshaped clinical guidelines and influenced policy, including the development of the National Osteoarthritis Strategy and implementation of the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program across NSW. Through international collaborations, innovative digital tools like MyJointPain, and public engagement initiatives such as the Joint Action podcast, Professor Hunter continues to improve outcomes for people living with musculoskeletal conditions worldwide.
The award will be offered to an individual each three years for outstanding contribution by a financial ARA member, of any membership category, to rheumatology research. The award will be given for a body of productive research and selection will be based on the quality of the science and its impact. The researcher must be currently undertaking research in the area of rheumatology. Research should be conducted, at least in part, in Australia and the researcher should be based primarily at an Australian Institution. The applicant must have played a key role in the research as indicated by first / last authorship or principal / chief investigator status or other evidence to support their significant role in the research. The Parr Prize can only be awarded once to an individual.
$1000 plus Medal and framed certificate
Triennially (next 2028)
The application should consist of a two-page summary of the research contribution and an assessment of its importance, together with a CV with evidence of appropriate published material to support the application.
All documentation must be supplied, and submissions forwarded to:
ARA Secretariat Parr Prize Committee Email: ara@rheumatology.org.au
The nominations will be considered by the ARA Award Committee consisting of:
Where possible, the Parr Prize Award Committee should be balanced according to gender.
2025 Prof David Hunter 2022 Prof Catherine Hill 2019 A/Prof Mandana Nikpour 2013 Prof Lyn March 2010 Prof Flavia Cicuttini, Prof Graeme Jones and Prof Matthew Brown 2007 Prof Malcolm Smith and Prof Ian Wicks 2004 Prof Rachelle Buchbinder 2001 Prof Eric Morand 1998 A/Prof Ranjeny Thomas 1995 Joint recipients: Dr Gordon and Dr McCluskey 1992 Joint recipients: Prof Ric Day and Prof Les Cleland 1988 Prof Phillip Sambrook 1980 Prof John Edmonds, Dr Bashir, Dr Geczy 1974 Prof Ken Muirden 1971 Prof Ron Penny 1969 Prof Ken Muirden 1966 Prof Bryan Emmerson 1963 Dr Howard Duncan 1961 Dr S G Anderson
A history of the Parr Prize was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, in its final volume in 2000. (The journal was subsequently renamed the Internal Medicine Journal )
Read/download the article here.